Reb Dovid Scheiner z"l

My father used to joke about being a Palestinian.  He was born on Erev Pesach in 1936 in the holy city of Jerusalem.  At that time Israel was Palestine.  This also makes him a Sabra (typical expression for anyone born in Israel) but the truth is that by the age of 2 he was already in the US where he lived the rest of his life.  This birth certificate I found quite by accident about 8 months after his petira (passing).  It lists Yagea Kapaim as the place of his family's residence.  At first this had me puzzled but then I realized that it was an area in Jerusalem.  I used to hear him quote about "Yegias Kapaim"* as I heard him quote many things from Tanach - but now I wonder if there was more to this than any other of his quotes.

Here is a cute picture of Isser'l (as he was fondly called by his parents) from before his upshernish.  Photos at that time were scarce, so we consider this quite precious.

He was raised together with his 2 brothers and sister, yibadlu l'chaim, in Bronx, NY.   

Later, once the children had already grown into adulthood, some time around 1960, the parents moved to Crown Heights in Brooklyn, NY.   While in the Bronx, his father had worked as a Shamas** for a shul.  Later, after he moved to Brooklyn, Reb Yosef, z"l, opened a Jewish Book Store where he sold books and all kinds of religious articles.  He also taught Bar Mitzvah lessons.  This business card was given to us several years ago by the Blotner family in Worcester who remembered the book store and somehow still had this card. 

* The verse in Tehillim (psalms) 128 states: Yegia Kapaim Ki Sochel By the toil of your hands you should eat, Ashrecha you will be fortunate, VeTov Lach and it will be good for you.   One interpretation is the you are supposed to toil with your hand in making a living - not with your head or heart - which means not to get completely submerged where it takes too much of your headspace or you become too emotionally involved - but rather do your job (with your hands) and have faith in G-d, and then you will be fortunate and blessed in this world, and it will be good for you in the world to come.

Reb Dovid certainly lived by this teaching as is illustrated by the following.  For a certain period of time he was doing clerical work, a simple job which wasn't challenging and which didn't require great innovation.  I once asked him, "Are you satisfied with this job?  Are you not finding it to be boring?"  He answered me that quite the contrary, he is very happy with this job.  It is perfect for him because he is able to accomplish without having to put his head into it too much - and this frees up his mind to review Torah teachings and to contemplate on G-dliness.

** The Shamas or shamash is usually the one to look after the physical needs of the service and sometimes also the physical needs of the synagogue itself. - Rabbi Gurkov from askmoses.com  

The Scheiner family was brought up as religious, pious and G-d fearing Jews, however, they were not particularly associated with any group.  Isser Dovid was sent to Lubavitch Yeshiva in the Bronx and from there he went on to Lubavitch on Bedford and Dean.  At some point he recognized the value of the Rebbe's teachings and the lifestyle of Chabad Lubavitch and went on to study the higher level of education at Lubavich Yeshiva in Montreal.  There he enjoyed a very warm, Chassidic environment under the oversight of the great mashpia, Rabbi Gringlass.  Also, he received there a certificate of Shechita (kosher ritual slaughtering).  This is something we were not even aware of until we came across this certificate.  Among other things, it states in here that all Jews can rely on his Shechita...

When I asked his older brother, R' Leib (a"h, who unfortunately passed away during this past year)  if he was aware of this certification, he clearly had not known about this.  He did, however, mention that at that time the Yeshivos tried to include hands-on Shechita in the curriculum for all the Rabbinic students.   Interesting that my father never mentioned this accomplishment. 

That he had been ordained as a Rabbi - that we knew.
Below is the Smicha - certificate of ordination signed by Rabbi Piekarski in 1961.  
 

He was always a teacher - inside the classroom and outside.  For many years he enjoyed working in Oholei Torah.  And for many years he enjoyed his next job at Ideal Stamps and Coins - with his wonderful Bal Habos (boss), R' Shmuel Melamed and the many other incredible people there.  Even at the offices of this Manhattan workplace he was recognized by everyone as a Mashpia.  He happily taught a brief Halacha or Chasidus every day during the company's Mincha break.  (See below, in condolences comments and notes, for letter from the company describing his contribution to their daily learning at work.)

In his unassuming manner, he continued teaching Torah to many individuals and gave classes whenever requested.   Here is a postcard he received from Lubavitch Youth Organization (LYO) complimenting him on the successful shiurim (Torah classes) they had heard he was giving and how pleased the participants were.

Over the years there were many individuals who recognized and appreciated the scholarly yet gentle, easy-going, and humble manner of R' Dovid, Scheiner, z"l, and asked him to learn with them on a regular basis.   

Here is one class picture which reflects a lesson he had just been teaching the students about the three Patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).  They established the 3 times of the day for prayer, which is hinted to by the second letter of each of their names (which is boxed on the blackboard).  "Beis" is for "boker" which means morning - thus Abraham established the morning prayer time.  "Tzaddik" is for "tzaharayim" which means mid-day - for the mid-day prayer that Isaac established.  "Ayin" is for "erev" translated as evening which alludes to the evening prayer time established by Jacob.  (For more class photos, go to the very bottom section - "...and more photos".)

Summer of 1969 - During a flight back home from Israel we had a brief stop-over in Paris.  It was Chai (the 18th of) Elul - an auspicious day in Chabad - Birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the First Lubavitcher Rebbe.  Somehow some my father ended up making a "farbrengen" (Chasidic gathering) there.  My father did not know French but he spoke in Hebrew and between them, somehow everyone understood each other.  I remember hearing many years later from someone who was there (unfortunately I can't recall who said it) that it was a memorable and meaningful "farbrengen". 

Reb Dovid z"l appreciated nature.  But it was never just nature - it was always "niflaos HaBoray" "the wonders of the Creator, G-d". 

Several summer vacations were spent in New Hampshire.  Like others on vacation, he appreciated the many opportunities to enjoy "niflaos HaBoray".   

During one summer something extraordinary happened.  He used to go up the hill to daven (pray) Mincha many times.  A group of Satmar students and their teachers had moved their Yeshiva during the summer, away from the stifling city of New York to the fresh mountain air of Bethlehem, NH.  This little group was complete with their own daily minyan and full time learning up on this particular hill where my father began frequenting.  Noticing that he was a Lubavitcher Chassid, they started asking him questions about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and seeking explanations for other things about Lubavitchers.  At first their questions seemed more in the tone of criticism, but as Reb Dovid patiently answered them time after time, there was a new found respect.  Every word that would come out of his mouth in explanation to their queries was another beautiful pearl of wisdom.  He soon started teaching them Chabad Chassidus, from the deep teachings - called "maimarim".  They were greatly inspired and wanted more.  After the summer, Reb Dovid, z"l, connected their leader with Reb Yoel Kahn, well known in Lubavitch circles for his brilliance and depth.  Thus they continued to learn and grow in Chabad Chassidus.

Many years later my father went to visit Reb Mendel Vechter, the Rosh Yeshiva (head) of this group of students, who was recovering from a severe mishap.  Some students who were keeping guard and checking out everyone who was being allowed to visit, heard that it was Reb Dovid Scheiner at the door, and quickly allowed him in with tremendous "kovod" respect.

(Up until here, this story is told from my perspective, that of his daughter as she understood what had transpired.  More recently, we had the opportunity to touch base with R' Mendel Vechter, amush, and here is what we heard.)

"First of all - the Hafatzas hamayonos that I do today, is in a very great measure due to the zchus of R' Isser Dovid."  Reb Vechter went on to say that R' Dovid was definitely the BRIDGE that brought him into Chabad.  "...kain mul nisht geven" meaning it would otherwise never have happened (his connection to Chabad).  "He was an aideler (refined) mentch, he had bitul, he had anava - a straight "glateh" (smooth) tmimus (wholesomeness)."  R' Dovid originally came because he heard there was a yeshiva there - he came to daven there.  And R' Dovid suggested at one point that he would learn with him.  R' Mendel was interested in Chassidus in general (but he was wary of Chabad Chassidus).  "He learned with me the first time, I believe, was a maamar from the Rebbe about nisyonos (trials and tribulations in life).  I think it was a mugedige maamar.  It made upon me a very good impression."  At some point when R' Vechter was asking questions, R' Dovid answered in his humble manner, "Far dem darf men a greserer vi mir."  ("For this we need someone bigger than me.")  R' Mendel added, "He was the one who was meshadach me with R' Yoel."  He thinks it was in Taf Shin Lamed Zayin (1977).  Then he talked about himself.  He had all kinds of questions about the Rebbe and the Shitos (approach) of Lubavitch.  But it wasn't shayach to try to answer the questions because they were coming from a whole different perspective.  So only by learning Chassidus, that was the only way it could change his original mindset and dissolve the questions.   

Years later R' Vechter sent this postcard in honor of the wedding of R' Dovid's daughter.  

In the above photo, R' Dovid Scheiner, z"l, is receiving "Lekach" (a piece of cake that the Lubavitcher Rebbe would distribute on certain occassions).  Interestingly, it appears that he already has "Lekach" in one hand and that the Rebbe is giving him another one in the other hand.  Possibly it could be to share at a farbrengen that he was making, or perhaps he was coming to visit us in Natick, MA and had mentioned that he would be visiting his family on Shlichus.

Below is a photo of R' Dovid receiving "kos shel bracha" (a small cup of wine - called "a cup of blessing" - that the Rebbe used to distribute after a holiday farbrengen).   

It happened one time that during "kos shel bracha" the Rebbe gave my father a small bottle of wine instead of just a little cup (or perhaps in addition to it).  It was the night that Pesach was over, just a few hours after our daughter had been born in Massachusetts.  Since my father was in "770", the Rebbe's shul straight from the holiday, we were not able to reach him yet to notify him of the wonderful news about the birth of his first grand-daughter, Chaya Mushka.  Getting a bottle of wine from the Rebbe was more unique than just the cup (which was of course also very special).  The bottles were reserved either for Rabbi's of congregations to share with their communities, or for other specific reasons.  There was no explanation given for his receiving the bottle of wine.  My father had not made any requests and he had not even gotten the special news.  We thought that this was connected to the "Mazel Tov".  My father wasn't sure why he got it and thought that it might have been connected to a recent section in Rambam (Maimonidees) that he had completed with a group of people he had been teaching.  He had sent in a notice about this to the Rebbe's office before the holiday but he did not mention anything about it that evening of "Kos Shel Bracha".   Some things we may never know for sure - but one thing that was clear - the Rebbe was giving him a special blessing! 

 Below is a letter from the Rebbe to my father from when he was about 19 years old.  The Rebbe gives him a blessing and mentions "in particular his involvement in Mesibas Shabbos (Shabbos gatherings for youth)".  Someone mentioned to me that my father had been very active in Mesibas Shabbos, making the Shabbos an pleasant experience for the youth with stories and activities. 
   

In May of 2002 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.   In 2005 he came to live with us.  At first it was just a while to recover after a hospitalization but then it became apparent that he would need to stay with us in Massachusetts.  It turned out to be almost five years.  Of course it was our z'chus to have him here.
 

We were so touched when Menachem Shagalov, who used to enjoy learning with my father, came to visit all the way from NY.  He came once with his daughter and another time with his son.  I know that these visits meant so much to my father.

For many years Menachem Shagalov used to send a beautiful Esrog to my father before Sukkos as well as Shmurah Matzah before Pesach.  He started doing this years before my father came to live with us, and continued right through my father's last Sukkos.

Below our family is enjoying a backyard party with "zaidy".

I am thankful to Hashem for my wonderful family who were all involved in helping my father, and for my husband, Levi Yitzchok, who upon recognizing the declining health of my father when he came to us to recover after a hospitalization, realized that there was no way we could send my father back to his home in NY and suggested that he stay with us.   The extent of the care was enourmous but we lovingly did what we could to make him comfortable.  

On the 11th of Shevat, 5771, Reb Isser Dovid Scheiner returned his soul to its Maker.  The 11th of Shevat is an auspicious day in that it is the anniversary of when the Lubavitcher Rebbe accepted the role of leadership.

 Special thanks to all the wonderful people who did what they could to help during his last few months at Northern Metropolitan in Monsey in particular my aunt Rebbitzen Rochel Knopfler as well as Rabbi Eprayim Keller and all relatives and friends - everyone else who helped.  Thank you also to my uncles R' Leib Scheiner and R' Yisroel Mordechai Scheiner for their general support and commitment to Kaddish.

Thank you to everyone who studied Mishnayos for the Aliya of the Neshama of Rav Isser Dovid ben HaRav Yosef z"l.

Click here to see the Mishnayos list. 

At this point it seems appropriate to mention the following: 

Back in May 2002, when my father wasn’t feeling well, just before he was admitted to the hospital to have a stent placed (he had been in good health up until that point and had never experienced anything of the sort) he was concerned and decided to discuss with me about “after 120”. He wanted to make sure that there would be no special titles or great honorable mentions – if anything should be said, it should be that he was a “poshite yid” (a simple Jew).* I think he didn’t want me to feel bad about that or to feel that it is disrespectful to say something like that about him, so he said that this too is a significant level – and he went on to tell the following story. 

Reb Shneur Zalman Duchman was farbrenging 40-50 years ago in 770. It was many years ago and my father remembered being there. My father described him as a “Chashuve Yid” (an important Jew) with a long white beard who used to daven (pray) slowly, word for word. He wrote a sefer (book) call “LeShema Ozen”.  Reb Zalman shared with those present that the Lubavitcher Rebbe once told him to learn more b’iyun (in depth). He said, “Ich bin nor a poshete yid” (I’m only a simple Jew). The Rebbe said, “Azoy leicht” (so lightly) does one take the title “a poshete yid” (a simple Jew)? 

How many people do you know of who strive to be a simple Jew?  Maybe it’s not so simple… 

*I wasn’t exactly sure how he meant for this message to play out, but he clearly meant something. It’s possible that he was implying the gravestone but at that time I was too pre-occupied with the medical crisis at hand and never asked him straight out.

Since I wasn't 100% sure if it was meant to be written on the stone, I am therefore writing it here to fulfill any intentions my father might have had - yehi Zichro Baruch (may his memory serve as a blessing). 

Also, the words "Ish Tam" which are written on the Matzeiva (tombstone) contain this idea of simple being a higher level to aspire to just as Yakov Avinu (Jacob) is described in the Torah as an "Ish Tam".

There is significance in what is written on a gravestone. 

When preparing the text for the tombstone, one should avoid embellishing the deceased's qualities and praises, since we are taught that the soul may have to account for what is written there during judgment.
– from Chabad.org